WWE Smackdown review
February 17, 2012
Taped 2/14/12 in Fresno, Calif.
Aired on Syfy
By Michael Cupach, PWTorch contributor

[Q1]

-Smackdown opened with footage from Monday on Raw when Randy Orton and Big Show fought, then after the match, Daniel Bryan attacked both men with the World Title belt, knocking both guys in the head with it.

-Backstage, in Teddy Long’s office, Orton is sitting with Long, staring angrily. Teddy Long then apologizes, saying that it is out of both their hands and even though Orton is dressed to compete, he can’t compete tonight because he has a concussion. He says that Daniel Bryan will have to "get his" from someone else. Long than says that Bryan isn’t in the building yet, but when he arrives, if Orton tries getting to him, there is security outside the door ready to escort Randy from the building. Long then apologizes again and informs Orton that he can’t compete in the Chamber match this Sunday, either. Randy stands up to leave and the crowd chants his name. Orton walks off.

-The Smackdown opening video airs, followed by a full pyro display. Josh Mathews welcomes everyone to Smackdown and he poses the question of who will replace Orton in the Elimination Chamber match, just 48 hours away.

-The Big Show’s music hits and he is competing in a tag match to start the show.

1 - BIG SHOW & THE GREAT KHALI vs. IC champion CODY RHODES & WADE BARRETT

Have I mentioned how badly Wade Barrett needs new theme music? Cole gives an update on Orton (four minutes later?), saying that Orton is out indefinitely. Anyway, Khali and Barrett start things off and Khali uses his size to back Wade into the corner and he chops the hell out of him. Barrett high tails it to his corner and tags Cody in. Cody reluctantly gets in Khali's face and tries some sticking and moving, but Khali gets his hands on Rhodes and he shockingly chops him in the corner. Khali whips Rhodes into the ropes and Barrett makes a blind tag to take Khali off his feet with a big boot. Wade puts the boots to him and doesn’t let him up; he tags in Rhodes who continues the assault on the Punjabi Playboy.

Chinlock by Rhodes slows Khali down even more and I start to wonder what it means to slow down The Great Khali! Khali fights out and crawls to The Giant and both men tag out. Big Show cleans house on Barrett. He squashes him in the corner and follows it up with a spear. Rhodes tries getting involved, but Show knocks him out of the ring. Show then chokeslams Wade Barrett and gets the win for his team!

WINNERS: Big Show and Great Khali in 4:00

-Post-match: Big Show hits Khali with the Weapon of Mass Destruction and knocks Khali the heck out! It looks like he punched him in the ear, that’s gotta hurt!

-Backstage, Teddy Long is on the phone with someone telling whomever it is that Orton won’t be available Sunday. Mark Henry walks in and surprises Teddy Long and he demands that he be put back into the match. He tells Long that he needs him in that match and he belongs in the match. Just then, Big Show enters and he says that after that match, he wants a piece of Bryan tonight. Mark Henry protests, so Show hits him with a WMD and he tears apart Long’s dressing room demanding to get what he wants. Long flees and Smackdown takes a break!

Mike’s Reax: Man, Mark Henry is suspended indefinitely and he still shows up to work. That is dedication to his job! I bet he even starts working before he clocks in too! For that alone, I think he deserves that Chamber slot.

[Q2]

(Commercial)

-This Tuesday, there will be a live Super Smackdown! I guess I’ll check it out.

-Mathews goes over what happened moments ago with Big Show and Mark Henry. Big Show is a thug. Back live, Teddy Long is outside his office with the security intended for Randy Orton and he tells them that when Big Show comes out, he wants them to escort him out. Security talk amongst themselves that they don’t want to mess with Show!

-Josh throws to a video package of Ted DiBiase beating Hunico last week, even though Ted has a broken wrist. Both men make their way to the ring and Hunico cuts a promo saying that last week Ted stole a win from him, and tonight he steals it back. OHHH! Those are fighting words! Not really.

2 - TED DIBIASE vs. HUNICO

Mike’s Reax: This match AGAIN? Ted with some clotheslines and a big boot to start, but Hunico takes over by hitting Ted in his injured arm. Hunico puts Ted in a wristlock, and Ted fights out, but takes a huracanrana for his trouble. Hunico goes up top and Ted catches him with a dropkick when Hunico jumps off. Camacho then distracts and hangs Ted up on the top rope. Hunico then rolls DiBiase up for a three count, holding his tights.

WINNER: Hunico by pinfall in 2:00

-Daniel Bryan is here and he doesn’t know that there is an angry giant looking for him!

(Commercial)

-Last Monday, Shawn Michaels was on Raw and he had some questions for Triple H about WrestleMania and The Undertaker. They aired the "Reader's Digest" version of the segment here. They did re-show Undertaker's vignette in its entirety, though.

[Q3]

-Back in the arena, The Usos are doing their Samoan War Dance; it is way better than their cooking show on YouTube!

(Commercial)

3 - WWE tag champions PRIMO & EPICO (w/Rosa Mendes) vs. THE USOS - non-title match

The Usos use some double-team moves to start. Jimmy Uso tries pinning Primo early, but comes up short. Primo ties Jimmy up in the corner and works him over, taunts Jey, and then tags in Epico. The Colons get in some double-team offense and try pinning Jimmy, but he kicks out at two. More quick tags from Primo and Epico, then Primo runs Jimmy down with a clothesline and dances in the ring while Rosa does the salsa outside the ring.

Bodyslam by Primo and he locks Jimmy in a sleeper. Jimmy fights out and gets whipped into the corner and he ducks a charge in from Primo. Both men tag out and Jey takes care of Epico. Jey misses a running knee in the corner, but catches Epico with a Samoan Drop. A Pier Six brawl breaks out and Jimmy takes Epico to the outside and Primo can’t hit the Backstabber on Jey. Jey then superkicks Primo and goes up top for a big splash, but Primo gets the knees up. He then hits the Backstabber on Jey for the win!

WINNERS: Epico and Primo by pinfall in 5:00

-Michael Cole gives an update that Big Show has surrendered to authorities and left the building, they then cut to Daniel Bryan walking around backstage, smiling.

(Commercial)

[Q4]

-Daniel Bryan is introduced by Lillian Garcia. He makes his way to the ring as they show signs in the audience accusing Bryan of being a carnivore and eating hot dogs. Bryan start off by saying that everyone must have seen what he did last Monday on Raw and he did what he had to do because he needed to show everyone what he is all about. They show the belt shot to Randy Orton that gave Orton a concussion. Back live, Bryan seems very proud of his handiwork last Monday. He says that it is his understanding that Randy Orton and Big Show have been escorted out of the building tonight. He says that if they had any guts they would have stayed and faced him tonight, but they are afraid! He says that everyone in the arena is afraid of him and no one wants to be the one who taps out to him.

Bryan then switches gears by accusing the fans of having no faith in him and not thinking that he would ever be World Title material, but he proved them all wrong. This Sunday at the Elimination Chamber, he will prove everyone wrong again. He says that the odds are stacked against him this Sunday, but he always beats the odds. He then says that he was sure that he would beat Orton in the main event tonight and he is sure that he will win the Chamber match this Sunday. Bryan then asks the ring announcer to declare him the winner of tonight's match via forfeit. Lillian reluctantly makes the announcement and Bryan celebrates as if it were the first match he ever won.

Teddy Long makes his way out and he says that before he leaves to celebrate, he thinks he should compete tonight. Long says that Randy Orton won’t face Bryan, but Long has a volunteer for a match with Daniel Bryan... Sheamus comes out and Bryan does not look happy! They will face each other, next!

(Commercial)

4 - World Hvt. champion DANIEL BRYAN vs. SHEAMUS - non-title match

Bryan starts off by working a wristlock on Sheamus, and Sheamus counters by clotheslining Bryan out of his boots! Sheamus tries returning the favor by breaking Bryan’s arm and putting him in an armbar.

[Q5] Bryan counters out of the wristlock and kicks the crap out of Sheamus, but Sheamus catches Bryan's leg and tosses him over the top rope. Bryan catches himself on the apron, so Sheamus ties him up in the ropes and clubs away ten times on Bryan's chest. Bryan falls to the floor and goes to grab his title to leave, but Sheamus blocks the exit and tosses Bryan back in the ring. Bryan spears Sheamus when he tries re-entering the ring, and then nails him in the temple with a flying knee from the apron. Bryan tries winning via count-out, but Sheamus makes it back by six.

Bryan kicks Sheamus in the chest while he is on his knees, then takes Sheamus out with a running dropkick to the jaw. Bryan stares at Sheamus for a few seconds, admiring his work, and then tries a pinfall, but gets a two. Sheamus tries fighting back on Bryan, but Bryan kicks him again and Sheamus falls to the corner. Another running dropkick from Bryan gets another two count. Bryan goes back to the well with some kicks, but Sheamus gets angry, his temper comes out to play, and he mounts a comeback.

Irish Curse backbreaker gets reversed by Bryan, who tries the LeBell Lock, but Sheamus powers out of it and sends Bryan into the corner. Sheamus calls for the Celtic Cross, Bryan slips out, Sheamus powers him into the corner and Bryan slaps Sheamus! Bryan cowers in the corner while Sheamus stomps away at him. The ref calls for a break and Bryan answers by spitting on Sheamus! The ref pulls Sheamus off Bryan and Bryan taunts Sheamus some more, so Sheamus shoves the referee down to cause a DQ.

WINNER: Daniel Bryan by DQ in 7:00.

-Post-match: Bryan escapes and runs away smiling as Sheamus is fuming in the ring.

-Teddy Long is watching the match in his office, shaking his head. Wade Barrett comes in. He wants to know whom he will be facing in the Chamber this Sunday. Cody Rhodes also comes in wondering the same thing. Teddy declares that tonight there will be a Wild Card Battle Royal to find a replacement for Orton, and everyone in the building is eligible.

(Commercial)

5 - EZEKIEL JACKSON vs. JINDER MAHAL

Cole says with a straight face that it will be great to see everyone in a Wild Card Battle Royal, including guys from Superstars and NXT. Really? Jackson overpowers Mahal to start - he whips him from one corner to the next and follows with a running clothesline each time. Jinder makes for the ropes and the ref calls Jackson off Jinder. Jinder dropkicks Jackson in his knee and puts him in the Camel Clutch, but Jackson has no problem powering out after Mahal tries not to let go. Front face DDT by Mahal and he re-applies the Camel Clutch, which causes Zeke to tap out.

WINNER: Jinder Mahal by submission in 1:30.

[Q6]

-This Sunday, Tamina challenges Beth Phoenix for the Divas Title. Up next, Tamina teams with Alicia Fox to take on Beth and Natalya.

(Commercial)

6 - Divas champion BETH PHOENIX & NATALYA vs. TAMINA & ALICIA FOX

Alicia and Beth start things out, and Alicia surprises Beth with some quick offense. Nattie asks to be tagged in and she comes in and misses a roll-up on Fox. Submission move by Nattie is reversed and Alicia botches a leap frog, so Natalya puts her in the Sharpshooter. The ref checks to see if Alicia is submitting, but he pantomimes that there is bad gas. Nattie releases the hold to argue and that gives Alicia the chance to tag out. Tamina Samoan Drops Natalya and then goes up top for the Superfly Splash, which she connects with for the win.

WINNERS: Tamina and Alicia Fox by pinfall in 2:00.

-Post-match: Tamina tries giving Beth the Superfly Splash, but Beth rolls out of the ring and escapes. See you Sunday.

-Backstage, Teddy Long is joined by John Laurinaitis and David Otunga. John asks Teddy why he would let a no-namer in the Chamber when it is supposed to be about star power. John then puts Otunga into the match and declares him the winner and the next World Champion. Teddy then takes a jab at David for having lawyer stank on him, then wishes him good luck.

-Up next, a replay of the Ryder-Cena-Kane drama from last Monday.

(Commercial)

[Q7]

-As promised, a video package featuring the high school drama surrounding Cena, Eve, Zack Ryder, and Kane.

-The announcers run down the Elimination Chamber card.

-The participants of the Wild Card Battle Royal file into the ring to the generic Smackdown music.

(Commercial)

7 - WILD CARD BATTLE ROYAL - Winner gets a spot in the Smackdown Elimination Chamber match -

Order of elimination:

(1) Derrick Bateman by David Otunga
(2) Percy Watson by David Otunga
(3) Titus O’Neil by Ezekiel Jackson
(4) Jimmy Uso by. Drew McIntyre

[Q8]

(5) Tyson Kidd by Drew McIntyre
(6) Heath Slater by Jinder Mahal
(7) Darren Young by Ted DiBiase
(8) Yoshi Tatsu by Hunico
(9) Camacho by Ted DiBiase
(10) Michael McGillicutty by Justin Gabriel

(Commercial)

(11) Curt Hawkins by Justin Gabriel
(12) Alex Riley by Epico and Primo
(13) Tyler Reks by Epico and Primo
(14) Johnny Curtis by Epico and Primo
(15) Jey Uso by Epico and Primo
(16) Epico by Primo
(17) Ted DiBiase by Hunico
(18) Hunico by Ted DiBiase
(19) Primo by Justin Gabriel
(20) Justin Gabriel by Ezekiel Jackson
(21) Jinder Mahal by Ezekiel Jackson
(22) Drew McIntyre by Santino Marella
(23) Ezekiel Jackson by Santino Marella

The final two are Santino and David Otunga. Otunga tries beating down and wearing down Santino, but it only fires Santino up. Santino hits the Cobra on Otunga and the crowd comes alive. Santino hip tosses him and misses dropping a fist on Otunga. Bodyslam by David and he poses over Santino as the crowd boos. Otunga goes to eliminate Santino, but Santino uses Otunga’s momentum against him and he sends David over and out!

WINNER: Santino Marella in 16:00

Mike’s Reax: Was this a Battle Royal or the actual Royal Rumble? They had the same star power, just fewer legends! Horrible main event on Smackdown this week and proof that there are no contingency plans in place in case someone slips in the shower. If Santino being a suitable replacement is the next best option, then I would say that WWE is out of ideas! Now, I fully expect Santino to be taken out by someone like Henry before the match and I am fully content with that kind of bait and switch. In the off chance that Santino actually competes…God help us all!

Thanks for reading, and make sure to follow me on Twitter @MJCupach as I will be tweeting live during Elimination Chamber this Sunday. Also check out FTWPodcast.com where I was guest on Episode 101. I talk Smackdown , the Elimination Chamber, last Monday's Raw, and other topics from the world of wrestling for one hour!

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